A spectrum splitting, transmissive concentrating photovoltaic (tCPV) module is proposed and designed for a hybrid photovoltaic-solar thermal (PV/T) system. The system may be able to fully utilize the full spectrum of incoming sunlight. By utilizing III-V triple junction solar cells with bandgaps of approximately 2.1 eV, 1.7 eV, and 1.4 eV in the module, ultraviolet (UV) and visible light (in-band light) are absorbed and converted to electricity, while infrared (IR) light (out-of-band light) passes through and is captured by a solar thermal receiver and stored as heat. The stored heat energy may be dispatched as electricity or process heat as needed. The tCPV module may have an overall power conversion efficiency exceeding 43.5% for above bandgap (in-band) light under a standard AM1.5D solar spectrum with an average concentration ratio of 400 suns. Passive and/or active cooling methods may be used to keep cells below 110 C. while transmitting >75% of out-of-band light to the thermal receiver, which may attain thermal energy capture at temperatures as high as 500 C. or more. A transparent active cooling system may improve the CPV module efficiency by about 1% (absolute) relative to a passive cooling system by reducing the maximum cell working temperature by about 16 C.

Fluid delivery systems and related structures and processes are provided, such as for use with water, treated water, and/or a cleaning solution, for any of cleaning, cooling or any combination thereof, for one or more solar panels in a power generation environment. Enhanced coatings are provided for the incident surface of solar panels, such as to avoid build up of dirt, scale, or other contaminants, and/or to improve cleaning performance. Reclamation, filtration, and reuse structures are preferably provided for the delivered fluid, and seal structures may preferably be implemented between adjoining panels, to minimize loss of the delivered water or cleaning solution.

The present invention relates to a solar collector or a light collector by means of which light, generally sunlight, can be directed onto an energy conversion unit. In particular, it relates to a light collector (10) that has an optical unit (20) and an energy conversion unit, wherein the energy conversion unit is comprised of a number of conversion cells (12, 14, 16) that are located along a first main axis, wherein the optical unit (20) triggers a refraction of light and surrounds the energy conversion unit at least partially, and the optical unit (20) focuses parallel incident light in a focal area, wherein the focal area has its largest dimension along a second main axis and the second main axis extends along the first main axis.

A photovoltaic module includes a plurality of cells, each of the plurality of cells including grid structures spaced apart in a first direction; a plurality of connection components extending along the first direction and spaced apart in a second direction, each of the plurality of connection components being electrically connected to corresponding adjacent cells; a plurality of composite films, each of the plurality of composite films covering a surface of a respective connection component and portions of a surface of a corresponding cell on opposite sides of the respective connection component; an encapsulation layer, covering surfaces of the plurality of composite films; a cover plate, disposed on a side of the encapsulation layer away from the plurality of cells. Each of the plurality of composite films includes a first layer and a second layer, and the first layer is located between the second layer and the respective connection component.

An apparatus (10) and method for the co-production of high temperature thermal energy and electrical energy from solar irradiance includes a photovoltaic cell (30) laminated to a metal extrusion device (40) and a transparent channel (20) in front of the photovoltaic cell (30). The transparent channel (20) contains a heat transfer fluid that is seeded with metallic, semiconducting, and/or non-metallic nanoparticles and absorbs wavelengths of solar energy that are not utilized or underutilized by the photovoltaic cell (30).

Thin-film integrated spectrally-selective plasmonic absorber/emitter (ISSAE) that is simultaneously (i) an efficient sunlight absorber; (ii) an efficient heat insulator that enables modest sunlight concentration to produce a high temperature by reducing infrared emission by a hot surface; (iii) a spectrally-selective infrared emitter that supplies infrared photons of the right energy to a targeted photovoltaic cell, thereby matching its bandgap. Additionally, said ISSAE is sufficiently thin to enable its use as a wrapping/cloaking material for use with hot storage pipes containing heat exchange fluid. Said ISSAE is incorporated into a number of solar-conversion apparatus, taking advantage of the unique properties of said ISSAE.

Embodiments of the present invention include solar power attachment systems between a photovoltaic layer (19) and at least one protuberant limb (130); novel cooling systems with the use of conductive layers (32); and even PV cell connection systems which may provide both electrical connections and cell cooling systems.

Disclosed is a lighter than air vehicle comprising: an envelope containing a lighter than air gas, at least part of the envelope admitting the passage of light through the at least part of the envelope; and a directing device for selectively redirecting the light which passes through the at least part of the envelope. The vehicle may further comprises a plurality of devices for using incident light. The directing device for selectively redirecting the light may be for selectively redirecting the light onto a selected device, for example, by switching the positions of two or more devices into the path of the light.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor chilling multilayer combined buffer solar powered photovoltaic distiller, comprises a machine frame, a first water tank for storing water to be distilled, a water pump, a heat collector, a steam pump, a condensation pipe, a second water tank for storing desalinated water, a PLC controller and a solar panel. The heat collector comprises an outer glass case and an inner glass case. The first water tank is connected to one end of the chamber of the inner glass case. The other end of the inner glass case is connected to the buffer tank. The steam pump is connected to the buffer tank. The steam pump, the condensation pipe fixedly mounted on the support plate and the water tank fixedly mounted on the base plate are connected in series. A semiconductor chilling plate and an electric heater are alternately disposed between the condensation pipe and the support plate. The structure is reasonable, having the advantages of simple, convenient to use, high energy utilization rate, does not rely on external power supply etc. can effectively solve the problem of traditional water resource treatment having big energy consumption, and the equipment and site being not movable.

An air conditioning method includes the steps of: dehumidifying an air stream to be provided to a building space by exposing the air stream to a liquid desiccant in a conditioner; diverting a portion of the air stream dehumidified in the conditioner to an air treatment unit acting as an evaporative chiller to that causes the portion of the dehumidified air stream to absorb water from a water source and thereby cool a heat transfer fluid, and providing the heat transfer fluid cooled in the air treatment unit to the conditioner to cool the air stream to be provided to the building space; and regenerating the liquid desiccant used in the conditioner.